“Paddling the entire 1,243 miles of the Columbia River for Kids.”by John Kuntz

March 12th, 2020

“Paddling the entire 1,243 miles of the Columbia River for Kids.” By John Kuntz

Take a break from the everyday rush and join us for an evening of classic outdoor adventure that will thrill the entire family.  In  August of 2018, Kitsap native John Kuntz, modern day voyageur, embarked on a mostly solo kayak  trip, paddling  the entirety of the Columbia river, all 1250 miles. Hear his story in words and video of high adventure as he runs whitewater rapids in the steep walled Red Grave canyon, dodging lightning strikes and forest fires, long open water paddles amongst some of the most spectacular and varied scenery on the planet, portaging around 14 dams, enduring a 5 mile hike around the USA border, and sharing his adventure along the way in the  classrooms of a suburban Chicago school.

Spirit of Trip: In August of 2018 John Kuntz, owner of Olympic Outdoor Center, paddled the entire length, 1250 miles of the Columbia river from source to sea in honor of Erica Reith (Eri), (a young person whom tragically lost her life at the age of 19) and in the name of teaching youth the art of adventure. In life we have a chance to pay it forward and that is my goal, to let youth know there is more to life than the world that they know. That it is OK to take risks safely to gain the reward of a life time. Eri was a beautiful person that loved the outdoors and helping others, In her honor I am dedicating this paddle so that others may follow, because LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE that we must teach our youth.

See Website: Olympic Outdoor Center